CancerCompass message board discussion started by tink2002 on 5/15/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,24041,0.htm Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ hello everyone.  Can someone give me an idea on what to expect with the wbs?  I am a bit claustrophobic...will this trigger the claustrophobia?  if so, any suggestions to make it more comfortable? thanks  tink2002 Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT On 5/15/2008 tink2002 wrote:hello everyone.  Can someone give me an idea on what to expect with the wbs?  I am a bit claustrophobic...will this trigger the claustrophobia?  if so, any suggestions to make it more comfortable? thanks  You can expect to lie on a flat table for about 2 hrs. This is different from a MRI. Instead of being inside a tube, you lie on a table and the equipment starts scanning your body from head to toe and then behind. All you do is lie still and let the machine scan your whole body. Then at different points the technician will focus on the different parts of your body. When i had it done, it took about 2 1/2 hrs. Thank God you are not inside of that tube. Hope this was of some comfort. Just think good things and you will get thru it. mee22 Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Mine WBS only took about 40 min.  2 1/2 hours seems like a very long time.  It is not bad at all.  The table is very small, for some reason.  So, they have to strap your arms to your body so they don't fall down.  They also put a large rubberband around your feet to keep them together.  The camera stays still, and the table moves under it.  When I had mine they had some pictures taped to the ceiling so I had something to look at.  You shouldn't have any problems.  Good luck!!!!  Also, if you don't wear anything with metal on it you can just keep your street cloths on.  I just wore my flannel pants and a sweatshirt, at that point I didn't care what I looked like. skylog Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 5/15/2008 tink2002 wrote:hello everyone.  Can someone give me an idea on what to expect with the wbs?  I am a bit claustrophobic...will this trigger the claustrophobia?  if so, any suggestions to make it more comfortable? thanks  I had mine yesterday.  It only took 30 minutes.  It was done in 4 stages; 4 zones of your body.  For about 10 minutes or so your face is under the shield to get the upper body.  Then again so they can scan your neck area.  It is open but you move in and out of the scanner.If you don't like tight spaces, you may be uncomfortable for a few minutes.  My advice is to do what my husband does with an MRI.  He requests a moist washcloth and he keeps it over his eyes as if he has a head ache.  That way he sees nothing and is comfortable.It's really not bad and goes quickly.You'll be fine! dinparadise Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT thank you everyone for taking the time to respond.  I feel like the only help I get is from this board.  thanks again tink2002 Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi, I am very claustrophobic. The scanner is very close to your face.  I tried not to open my eyes the first time.  The test made me hyperventilate.  The second time I didn't take any chances.  I took a Valium 45 mins. before the scan. It was better with the Valium.. Pharmacology is a good thing. LL Lois6 Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT